Most of us have heard of Charles Darwin. His name makes us think of evolution and maybe “survival of the fittest”. But who was he? What did he really think about evolution? What did he contribute to science?
In this Web Quest, you will explore the life and discoveries of Charles Darwin. You will learn he was a keen observer who drew conclusions based on what he saw. You will explore the following questions:
Imagine you are a best selling author and you have been hired to write a book commemorating Charles Darwin and his contributions to science. Your book will include text and illustrations to give a thorough account of his life and discoveries.
The publisher wants you to include very specific topics and has given you a Table of Contents and the chapters you must include in your book. For each chapter, you can choose your own illustrations.
The commemorative biography you write will have the 5 chapters listed below. You will work on one chapter at a time until you have competed your commemorative biography.
You should use the following website links to gather the information. If you are unable to find specific information you are interested in, you may do an internet search as well. Begin with the suggested websites below:
The Complete Works of Charles Darwin
Chapter 1 – The Life of Charles Darwin
Directions:
Research the life of Charles Darwin.
Once you have finished reviewing the sites, choose 5-10 dates in Darwin ’s life that YOU believe were significant. Create a vertical time line by writing the year of the event on the left side of the line and a detailed description of the event on the right side of the line.
Now, use the time line as a guide for writing the first chapter of your “book”. Chapter 1 is an overview of Darwin’s life and should be at least one page in length.
Choose an appropriate illustration or clipart for this chapter. Use the paper and markers provided to add your timeline and your paper to your book. Remember, be creative, neat and use color!
Chapter 2 – Charles Darwin goes to the Galápagos Islands
Directions:
Read about Darwin ’s trip to the Galápagos Islands.
Once you have finished reviewing the sites, write the details of Darwin ’s voyage to the Galápagos Islands.Try to include as much information as you can. When did he go? Why? What happened there? Etc.
Use your notes and/or your textbook as a guide for writing the second chapter of your book. Chapter 2 describes his trip to the Galápagos Islands and should be one page in length.
Choose an appropriate illustration or clipart for this chapter. Use the paper and markers provided to add your timeline and your paper to your book. Remember, be creative, neat and use color!
Chapter 3 – The Creatures of the Galápagos Islands
Directions :
Read about Darwin ’s the creatures of Galápagos Islands.
Once you have finished reviewing the sites, list and describe the organisms that live on the Galápagos Islands.
Chapter 3 describes the organisms that live on the Galápagos Islands and should be at least one page in length. Be sure to include a description of the Finches Darwin saw there.
Choose an appropriate illustration or clipart for this chapter. Use the paper and markers provided to add your timeline and your paper to your book. Remember, be creative, neat and use color!
Chapter 4 – How Natural Selection Works
Directions:
Read about Darwin ’s Natural Selection.
Once you have finished reviewing the sites, write notes on Natural Selection.
Use your notes as a guide for writing the fourth chapter of your book. Chapter 4 describes natural selection as the mechanism for change in organisms. This chapter should be one page in length and should address the following questions:
1. What did Darwin notice about the Finches on the islands?
2. What is natural selection?
3. What does fitness mean?
4. How do scientists believe evolution happens?
Choose an appropriate illustration or clipart for this chapter. Use the paper and markers provided to add your timeline and your paper to your book. Remember, be creative, neat and use color!
Chapter 5 – Adaptations and Evolution
Directions:
Read about the adaptations organisms have for survival and evolution.
Once you have finished reviewing the sites, write about adaptations and evolution. Chapter 5 describes adaptations that plants and animals have developed over time and gives an explanation of evolution. This chapter should be around one page in length.
Choose an appropriate illustration or clipart for this chapter. Use the paper and markers provided to add your timeline and your paper to your book. Remember, be creative, neat and use color!
The biography you write will be evaluated using the rubric below.
Charles Darwin – Web Quest Rubric
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Grade
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93% to 100%
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85% to 92%
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78% to 84%
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0% to 77%
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Required Elements
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The biography includes all required elements as well as additional
information.
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All required elements are included in the biography.
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All but 1 of the required elements are included in the biography. |
Several required elements are missing.
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Use of Class Time
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Used time well during each class period. Focused on getting the
project done. Never distracted others.
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Used time well during each class period. Usually focused on getting
the project done and never distracted others.
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Used some of the time well during each class period. There was some focus on getting the project done but occasionally distracted others. |
Did not use class time to focus on the project OR often distracted
others.
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Content of Chapters - Accuracy
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Biography contains many facts and lots of information. It is thorough
and entirely accurate.
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Biography contains many facts and lots of information. Most of the
content is accurate.
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Biography contains some facts and information. Some of the content is
inaccurate or incomplete.
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Biography does not include sufficient information. Much of the content
is inaccurate or incomplete.
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Content of Chapters - Mechanics
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Spelling, grammar and punctuation are correct throughout the project. |
There are few errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation in the
project.
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There are some errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation in the project. |
There are many errors in spelling, grammar or punctuation in the project. |
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Chapter Design
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The project is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout,
and neatness.
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The project is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness.
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The project is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy. |
The project is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive. |
| Chapter is the author's own work | Project was done completely as an individual project by the author. | Project was done with some direction by others. | Project was done with a great deal of help by others. Many parts are taken directly from other sources. | Project was done as a "group" project with another student. Much of the project was copied and pasted together to make it look as if the author did it by themselves |
Conclusion:
Most people know that Charles Darwin was the father of evolutionary biology. However, many people don’t know what sort of a person Charles Darwin was or what he contributed to science.
You have explored Charles Darwin as a person and as a scientist. You are familiar with is life and have an understanding of natural selection as a mechanism for evolutionary change.
You have explored the creatures of the Galapagos Islands and the adaptations they have developed to improve their fitness. You understand the theory of evolution and you have seen some evidence that supports this theory.
While scientists agree that natural selection occurs in populations, the general public is divided on the issue of evolution. Through this Web Quest you have gained some background knowledge and you are more equipped to make decisions of your own.